This report presents an overview of the New York City Health Department’s 2016 surveillance and research data on hepatitis B and C in NYC, as well as the Health Department’s programmatic activities to address these epidemics.

In recognition of Liver Cancer Awareness Month, Gilead Sciences is excited to share that you can now watch BE ABOUT IT – the documentary highlighting the impact of chronic hep B on the Asian American community – on the Gilead YouTube channel!

We are pleased to announce the establishment of Hep Free NYC Community Health Workers (CHWs) Committee. Our purpose is to work toward ways to make the roles of CHWs sustainable and rewarding for both CHWs and the communities they serve.

City Council demonstrated its commitment to hepatitis elimination by continuing support for the Viral Hepatitis Initiative, which has improved health care access for over 8,000 New Yorkers at risk for or living with hepatitis B or C, and trained over 800 clinical providers.

Wednesday May 10, 2016 11 AM-12 PM Steps of City Hall, NYC (located in City Hall Park) Join us to commemorate May Hepatitis Awareness Month, National Hepatitis Testing Day and Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day. Raise awareness for testing, access and treatment! The theme this year is “Stand Up And Help End Hep” Bring posters and your organization’s banners! Invite … Continue reading Hep Free NYC Awareness Event on the Steps of City Hall→

On February 7, 2017, government representatives; medical providers; harm reduction and social service providers; and community advocates came together in Albany for the nation’s first Hep C Elimination Summit.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) made the final decision to cover screening for hepatitis B infection at no cost to individuals entitled to benefits under Medicare Part A or enrolled in Medicare Part B.

People living with hepatitis B should be screened for liver cancer every six months and people with Hepatitis C and cirrhosis should be screened every six months. Recommended screening is through ultrasound.

The NYS Attorney General’s office requests that all patients, their doctors, or their representatives make a call to Health Care Bureau’s toll-free Helpline or fill out a complaint form if they feel they have been wrongly denied coverage for their Hep C treatment medications.

Study shows that two out of five Bronx residents who test positive for hepatitis C are undiagnosed. The Health Department’s Viral Hepatitis Program offers free resources to support health care providers in hepatitis B and C screening and care.

The National African Immigrant and Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness Day is a day aimed toward bringing both national and local attention to the highly prevalent health issues of HIV/AIDS and viral Hepatitis in African Immigrant and Refugee population in the US.

July 25th is the 4th Annual National African American Hepatitis C Action Day (NAAHCAD). The National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Inc. invite organizations to support the day by signing-on to host activities in their City on or leading up to July 25, 2016. As a national partner, your participation will help to ensure the success and impact … Continue reading National African American Hep C Action Day – July 25 2016→

A new Epi Data Brief Neighborhood Poverty and Infectious Diseases: Health Disparities in NYC found that New Yorkers residing in very high poverty census tracts were more likely to be diagnosed with Hep B and C.

The NYS attorney general has asked 16 health insurance companies for information on their coverage of Hepatitis C treatments, amid concerns that some companies are restricting coverage of the medications.

A study that tested 861 suburban heroin users admitted to Princeton House, an inpatient treatment center, found that 44 percent tested positive for Hepatitis C. Nearly two-thirds were under the age of 35.

As President, I am committed to advancing the fight against viral hepatitis. The Affordable Care Act has increased access to quality, affordable health care. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Around the world, doctors, medical researchers, and other professionals dedicated to health care and public health are working hard every day to … Continue reading Presidential Proclamation | World Hepatitis Day 2015→

Source: Defining the Experienced Hepatitis C Provider, New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, June 2015 Transformative new treatments for hepatitis C virus (HCV) will greatly expand the number of patients in New York State who can be treated successfully. This expansion promises to reduce morbidity, mortality, and the incidence of HCV transmission, but it … Continue reading NYS Department of Health Defines HCV Experienced Provider→

Worldwide 400 million people are living with hepatitis B or C. Every year 1.4 million people die from viral hepatitis and yet all of these deaths could be prevented. With better awareness and understanding of how we can prevent hepatitis we can eliminate this disease and save 4,000 lives a day. Events happening in NYC: … Continue reading Get Involved! World Hepatitis Day 2015 NYC→

Dear Colleague: I am delighted to present the new National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention: Strategic Plan through 2020. This Plan updates the Center’s current strategic plan and serves as a blueprint for achieving our vision of a future free of HIV, viral hepatitis, STDs, and TB. It will guide activities … Continue reading CDC Viral Hepatitis Strategic Plan – 2020→

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month! National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day | National Hepatitis Testing Day Join us for a citywide Hep Free NYC Awareness Event Steps of City Hall – Thursday, May 14th, 10-11AM To learn more or get involved, contact the Hep Free NYC Awareness Day Planning Group Join us on the Steps of City … Continue reading Press Conference | Hep Free NYC Awareness Event 2015→

Save the date for the 2015 US Conference on African Immigrant Health to take place on Call for abstracts are coming up soon. For more info, contact Margaret Korto at MKorto@minorityhealth.hhs.gov or Gary Gant at GGant@hrsa.gov.

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued its first-ever guidance for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Worldwide, some 240 million people have chronic hepatitis B virus with the highest rates of infection in Africa and Asia. People with chronic hepatitis B infection are at increased risk of dying from cirrhosis and liver cancer. Key recommendations include: … Continue reading World Health Organization Issues 1st Hep B Treatment Guidelines→

Community Representative Nominations for the HCV Guidance Panel Needed The AASLD and IDSA in collaboration with IAS–USA HCV Guidance Panel is seeking an additional community representative to serve on the panel that drafts the Recommendations for Testing, Managing, and Treating Hepatitis C. Community representatives serve a 2 to 3 year term, similar to the scientific … Continue reading Nominations Needed for AASLD/IAS-USA HCV Guidance Panel→

The NYS Department of Health Drug Utilization Review Board (DURB) has added Harvoni to the NYS Medicaid Fee-for-service formulary. This is an expected outcome since the November 20th approval of Harvoni by the NYS DURB. Below is an excerpt from a letter by Colleen Flanigan, Director of Viral Hepatitis at the NYS Dept. of Health. As … Continue reading Harvoni Added to NYS Medicaid Fee-for-service Formulary→

Dr. John Ward, Director of the Division of Viral Hepatitis at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, authored an article entitled “Viral Hepatitis Prevention Coordinators, a Vital CDC Program Helping to Achieve the Goals of the Viral Hepatitis Action Plan” at blog.AIDS.gov on January 9th. The Viral Hepaitits Prevention Coordinators (VHPCs) program began in … Continue reading Viral Hep Coordinators are Vital. CDC AIDS.gov Blog→

A new hepatitis C medication, Viekira Pak, was approved today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). AbbVie, who markets the drug, has not immediately released the price of the new all-oral Hep C medication which will now rival Harvoni and Sovaldi from Gilead Sciences. Harvoni and Sovaldi have generated controversy over their high-price tags and … Continue reading FDA Approves Viekira Pak to Treat Hep C→

Cost of Hepatitis C drug means major state Medicaid spend. Capital. New York state’s Medicaid program spent $193.2 million during the first six months of 2014 on Sovaldi, the controversial Hepatitis C drug that carries an $84,000-per-patient price tag. In the first six months of 2014, 6,911 prescriptions were written for Sovaldi for a 12-week … Continue reading Cost of Hep C Drug Means Major State Medicaid Spend→

New Regional Board Members Our Executive Board is vital to the governance of the Alliance and, crucially, to provide representation for our patient groups on a regional level. Following a largely contested election, we are happy to now announce our new Regional Board Members for 2014-2016. Our voting members have spoken and votes have been … Continue reading Congratulations! Dr. Su Wang – New Board Member @ World Hep Alliance→

Olysio has been approved by the FDA, in combination with Sovaldi, for the treatment of Hepatitis C. It is substantially more expensive than Harvoni; although it depends on treatment time, a 12-week Harvoni treatment costs $94,500, compared to the Olysio-Sovaldi 12-week tag of $150,360. Olysio in combination with Sovaldi is the second Hepatitis C combination treatment regimen … Continue reading Olysio-Sovaldi Combo Becomes 2nd FDA-approved All-oral HCV Treatment→

Today, the FDA approved Harvoni, a fixed-dose combination pill of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir produced by Gilead Sciences, Inc. The following information was released by the FDA along with the approval. The complete product label will be available soon at DailyMed or at Drugs@FDA. Also see: FDA Press Release on the approval, and Harvoni Patient Information On October … Continue reading Harvoni: FDA Approved – Combo Pill for Hep C Treatment→

The 2014 NYC HCV Research Consortium was held at The Rockefeller University on September 29, 2014. The consortium brought together providers, researchers, and community advocates to discuss the current state of hepatitis C research and practice in New York City and determine future priorities. Please review materials and presentations from the consortium below. We will … Continue reading 2014 NYC Hep C Research Consortium Report→

The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and Data.gov are launching a new federal website that aims to consolidate data on the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community: Data.gov/AAPI.

See original post here. Presidential Proclamation — World Hepatitis Day, 2014 WORLD HEPATITIS DAY, 2014 – – – – – – – BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Around the world, one in twelve people are living with viral hepatitis. In the United States, millions of Americans are infected with … Continue reading Presidential Proclamation | World Hepatitis Day 2014→

Bill A9124A will enable New York State nurse practitioners and physicians to administer tests to determine the presence of hepatitis C in patients without a patient-specific standing order. Background: The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene estimates that 146,500 individuals are living with chronic hepatitis C in NYC, and approximately half are unaware … Continue reading NYS Hep C Testing Bill (A9124A): In Assembly→

Thank you to those who have already submitted abstracts to the 2014 NYC HCV Research Consortium. Fortunately, the abstract submission window will remain open for a few more days. The updated abstract submission deadline is August 4 at 12:00 PM. Abstracts should be submitted according to the consortium guidelines for abstract submission to hsabbagh@health.nyc.gov. Please mark your calendars … Continue reading Updated! Call for Abstracts | NY Hep C Research Consortium – Sept 29→

SIGN UP HERE (Volunteers get a free World Hepatitis Day t-shirt!) CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!VOLUNTEER FOR WORLD HEPATITIS DAY- Monday, July 28th Join Team HBV on July 28 as we raise awareness on World Hepatitis Day! The day will be split into a two-part event: Part A (10AM-11AM): 5 Borough Viral Hepatitis Awareness Event Locations: Brooklyn: … Continue reading World Hepatitis Day is July 28th! Get involved!→

The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force has updated their 2004 recommendation on hepatitis B screening and now recommends screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) in non-pregnant adolescents and adults at high risk for infection, which may include: Those born in countries where the prevalence of HBV infection is 2% or greater Those born in the … Continue reading USPSTF Recommends Hep B Screening in High Risk Individuals→

In recognition of Hepatitis Testing Day, May 19, The AIDS Institute has released a Hepatitis C (HCV) Testing Coverage Guide to assist health care providers with navigating each of the major healthcare payers’ coverage options for preventive services, specifically for HCV screening. Additionally, the guide will help educate people on the need to get tested … Continue reading AIDS Institute Releases Hep C Testing Coverage Guide→

On May 15, we met at the Steps of City Hall to raise awareness and in recognition of National Hepatitis Awareness Month during May, as well as National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day on May 15, and National Hepatitis Testing Day on May 19. Where: Steps of City Hall, New York, NY (4, 5, 6 or R … Continue reading Press Conference | Hep Free NYC Awareness Event 2014→

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month! Community partners are holding events across NYC this month, to raise awareness and provide free testing to those at risk for viral hepatitis. Find an event in your community! Look for updates on this page and our calendar. Join us on May 15th for a Press Conference on the … Continue reading Hepatitis Awareness Month: May 2014 Events→

New Website Launched on Health System Changes On May 5, CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) launched the Prevention of HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STDs, and TB Through Health Care Website, an online resource to help state, local, and tribal public health agencies, community-based organizations, and other partners leverage changes in the … Continue reading CDC Launches “Prevention Through Health Care” Website→

The Hep Free NYC Patient Navigator Network is a committee of the NYC Hep B Coalition & Hep C Task Force and serves to identify and make contact with professionals who navigate patients with Hep B or C through the health care system.

Nirav R. Shah, M.D., the Commissioner of the New York State Health Department has released a Dear Colleague letter announcing the new Hepatitis C Testing Law. (Section 2171) The new law, which will take effect January 1st, 2014, mandates that every individual born between 1945 and 1965 be offered a Hepatitis C screening in either … Continue reading NYS COH Sends Dear Colleague Letter on Hep C Testing Law→

In Celebration of Recovery Month 2013 Announcing the 2013 In My Own Words… Essay Contest! > Please help spread the word! You can easily add a link to your webpage to help get the word out about this year’s essay contest. Click here to find out more. Please consider forwarding this email to your contacts … Continue reading Hep C In my Own Words Essay Contest→

MEDIA ADVISORY Contact: John Hellman Tel: 646-377-6115; jhellman@latinoaids.org New York City Leaders and Federal Officials Call for Action to Address the Impact of Viral Hepatitis What: Elected officials, community leaders and public health officials will announce free and low cost hepatitis screenings and unveil a new PSA campaign in New York City, San … Continue reading Media Advisory | Hep Awareness Month Press Conference 2013→

Question: A HCV+ patient who has cirhossis and may need a liver transplant was denied Medicaid due to $300 surplus from unemployment insurance. He can not afford to purchase private health insurance, and definitely needs medical care that is more expensive than he can pay out of pocket. What can he do? Answer: Your patient … Continue reading A HCV patient who has cirhossis→

Question: My patient is an undocumented immigrant and needs care for his hepatitis, where can he go to get care he can afford? Is he at risk for deportation if he goes to a government hospital? Answer: Public Hospitals (HCC) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) must provide care regardless of ability to pay. Medical … Continue reading My patient is an undocumented immigrant→

Question: My client cannot afford to pay Medicare Part D and therefore has no prescription coverage. Is there support available for patients who need help covering the premium for Medicare Part D? Are there resources they can apply for in NY State? Answer: They should contact the HIICAP program for assistance. In NYC they can be … Continue reading My client cannot afford to pay→

Question: The Prior Authorization for Hep C medications is is extremely difficult! Is there any resource that can help reduce the confusion and time? Answer: Many providers have noted this problem. Try using this service: CoverMyMeds helps physicians and pharmacists complete Prior Authorization and other insurance coverage determination forms for any drug and almost all drug … Continue reading The Prior Authorization for Hep C→

Question: My client needs case management and our program doesn’t have funding for a case manager for a Hepatitis B or C mono-infected patient. Is there any resource that can help? Answer: Most health insurance plans, including Medicaid Managed Care plans, have a ‘Care Management’ service. Call the plan on the plan using the member services phone number … Continue reading My client needs case management→

Dear Fellow Researcher, The Planning Committee would like to invite you to participate in the 2013 Meeting of the New York Hepatitis C (HCV) Research Consortium. As with our previous meetings, we intend to highlight research in all fields of HCV study occurring in the New York area, a major center of research activity and … Continue reading Call for Abstracts – 2013 NY Hep C Research Consortium→

The March 2013 NYC Hep ABC Newsletter provides the latest information, resources and opportunities to organizations & advocates working to improve the health of people affected by Hep A, B & C in NYC. View this email in your browser

With support from the NYC Hepatitis B Coalition, Team HBV NYC seeks to: Identify High School, College, and Graduate Students concerned about hepatitis B in their communities who want to take a leadership role in generating awareness and improving health outcomes in NYC. Establish a network of student leaders at educational institutions throughout NYC to … Continue reading Team HBV NYC→

September 2012 NYC Hepatitis ABC Newsletter The NYC Hepatitis ABC Newsletter is designed to provide the latest information, resources and opportunities to NYC organizations & advocates working to improve the health of people affected by Hepatitis A, B & C. View it in your browser!

Battelle Centers for Public Health Research and Evaluation are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct a field assessment of a comprehensive counseling and testing manual for Hepatitis C (HCV). With the expansion of HCV testing, and the introduction of the rapid HCV antibody test, Hepatitis C counseling and testing … Continue reading Request for Sites to Field Test CDC Hep C Counseling & Testing Manual→